Subject: Why Guitar?
You are getting this e-mail because you subscribed to it on www.learn-to-play-rock-guitar.com. If you don't want to receive these e-mails any longer, go to the bottom of this message and click on "unsubscribe." Hey there Friend, Now that we've hit 2014 - and its gonna be a great year, right - what are you thinking about your music? Obviously, you enjoy music, particularly guitar-based music, or you wouldn't be here!But do you spend any time thinking about the music that inspires you and caused you to pick up guitar in the first place? Why didn't you choose keyboards or drums as your go-to instrument? What is it about the sound guitar makes that is such a draw for so many people? It really does get in under your skin and burrow deep into your soul. I'd like to peel back some layers and share what it is that draws me so strongly to music in general, and guitar more specifically. Now a caveat before I start baring my soul. When I started playing guitar and really wanted to be in a band, I was a guitar player, at least in my head. If I was going to play in a band, I was going to play guitar. Sure, when I got tapped to be lead singer, I was OK with that, as long as I was playing guitar as well. Yeah, maybe a little pig-headed, but whatever. I think I favored the sound of guitar and the different ways it can be played to generate completely different music. Folk, Blues, Jazz, Bluegrass, Country, Rockabilly, Rock, Metal, Punk, Progressive, Classical, Neo-Classical... All somewhat similar in the application of chords shapes and scale patterns and fingering, but all distinctly different in energy and feel. And yet each genre can elicit the same range of emotions from a listener. I'd also like to think I was aware of these things, but honestly, what 12 year old thinks about this stuff? It could be like a sixth sense that draws us to certain instruments, perhaps an innate attraction. But the other side of the coin is purely animal - I wanted a skill that could be attractive to the opposite sex. Guitar is cool, there's no denying that. My physical prowess was questionable, so playing music was an easy choice! In one of my bands the lead guitarist suggested at some point that I should play bass guitar and sing. Now hindsight being what it is, I probably should have listened to him. I mean I've been playing air bass for decades (drives my wife crazy), and just this week got a new electric bass and am loving it. But I was stubborn back then. I was going to be a guitar player. I didn't need to be the lead, just rhythm, but dammit, I'm playing guitar! As we grow older, we gain some perspective, some maturity, some wisdom. Maybe it's more appreciation for the part each instrument plays in forming a song. You have your rhythmic foundation in the drums and bass, the guitars and keyboards to round out the frame and the vocals and leads to put the roof on and decorate the interior and exterior. What I've come to realize over the years is not that guitar is the "end all, be all" for me, but that the music in its entirety is what drives me to be a musician. I enjoy listening to songs for the purpose of finding the hidden treasures amongst the notes and beats. I've come to accept that I'm never going to be on par with the likes of Eric Johnson (listen to Cliffs of Dover at the bottom) or Andy Timmons (unbelievable rhythm and timing!). I love the tone and their incredible playing, and I would be happy playing rhythm gutiar for them any day, but I'm drawn more to the complete song than just to the guitar. As I learn to play piano and bass, and as I study production and mixing, it's become more apparent to me that it is the song as a whole unit that is my main driver. Everything - the melody, the chords chosen, the drive of the beat, effects used to create the different textures, the lyrics. I want to break each down and analyze why each part works so well in a song - a song that has grabbed me to a point where I want to learn to play every little part. I like picking out the individual instruments and analyzing how they interact with the rest of the song. Of course a large part of why a song grabs me initially tends to be the way the guitar parts are written, tracked and produced. I have always loved the overdriven amplifier that produces that high gain crisp distortion that sustains forever. And a heavily scooped tube amp so common in punk and metal sucks me in every time. But I also enjoy a super-clean sound with a hint of chorus and reverb. Like I've said before, whatever the song calls for, I'm good with it. But I'm continually drawn to the melding of beat, melody and harmony. How notes and words and rhythm combine to recreate a memory around an emotion... I write songs - or I should say, I track ideas that will someday become full songs. Actually, that's one of my major goals for 2014 - to release a full-length album that I have written, recorded, arranged, produced and mixed. I've got a good start, with nearly a dozen new ideas recorded already this year. It's not the ideas that are the challenge for me. It's fleshing the ideas out into full tracks. And I do have my song "Beginnings" on the Sonic Alchemy CD, so a little experience in the process under my belt. I'm sure I'll continue to evolve as I try my hand at sound design and production. While guitar will likely remain my primary composing instrument (where I get most of my ideas), these other instruments I'm learning definitely inspire me in new ways. I already have a handful of songs started that began as a keyboard riff, and I hear bass lines and drum patterns in my head all the time (a sign of insanity?). And now the news you've been waiting for... Finally, I have a sign-up for the Daily 5 Guitar Habit. Here's how it will work: regardless of what day you choose to sign up, whether it's today or some future date, you'll receive an email requesting to confirm your subscription. Please click the link there to confirm. Then you will receive an introduction email. Please, please, please reply to that email if you have questions or suggestions to make it better. As we progress I want this to become better for you, as well as for those that come after you. Here's the link to sign up After that, the first daily reminder should arrive at 0600 hours the Monday following the day you signed up (regardless of where in the world you live). If it doesn't, I did something wrong. Let me know and I'll figure it out (thanks!). I wanted to keep a somewhat structured deliver schedule, as I will be sending some wrap-up material every week, so it will be easier for me to keep track of where we are. Don't worry if you think you're not ready to start a dirty guitar habit right now (well, it's not like picking your nose or spitting). You can sign up at any time - the messages will be in sequence as I write them. And if you do want to create that habit, consider yourself one of the Founders of this little band of guitar-inistas! Let's rock the world, good People! Here's that link one more time Peace~ Dave Dave "Eddie" Vance is a rock guitar enthusiast and gear nut. He has been playing guitar for over 30 years and enjoys tormenting the neighbors every chance he gets. When he's not slaving for the man, you can find him rocking out with his B.C. Rich Bich guitar, a cold beer and some sweet tunes. He also runs Learn-To-Play-Rock-Guitar.com, but you knew that already! Follow Learn To Play Rock Guitar:I welcome your feedback! Did you like today's message? What other topics would you like to see covered in my e-mails? Please let me know at: dave@learn-to-play-rock-guitar.com As always, please feel free to forward this email to a friend! I review products before recommending them. If you buy a product based on my recommendation, I will receive a commission. However, my emails also contain links that don’t require any investment on your part and are jam-packed with "juicy, guitar learnin' tastiness". We don't rent or share your name with anybody. Feel free to forward this issue to any friends you think would enjoy its contents. They will thank you. So will I.
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